In this episode of Talking the Whiz Quiz, Lori and Gary Oshmann of AZC Drug Testing break down how to prepare for and survive a DOT audit of your drug and alcohol testing program. DOT audits can be stressful, but consistent preparation and strong recordkeeping make all the difference. Gary explains how the audit experience varies by mode, covering who conducts audits under FMCSA, FAA, PHMSA, FTA, FRA, and the US Coast Guard, and shares real client stories about the difference a knowledgeable Designated Employer Representative makes versus letting a dispatcher or administrative assistant take the call. Lori and Gary walk through the records auditors typically request, why you should provide only what is asked for, how to disclose and correct issues proactively, and how to respond to and appeal findings. AZC Drug Testing is celebrating 30 years in business, with services including drug testing, alcohol testing, background checks, fingerprinting, mobile testing, C/TPA support, and employer compliance assistance.

Topics covered:

• How audits differ by mode and who conducts them
• Interstate versus intrastate authority and what auditors can cite
• Choosing who represents your company and the case for a knowledgeable DER
• Making recordkeeping an everyday habit
• In-person audit best practices and limiting employee exposure
• Digitizing and organizing records
• Using DOT audit and new-hire checklists
• Providing only what the auditor asks for
• Disclosing and correcting violations proactively
• How your C/TPA helps you locate and reproduce records
• The records auditors request, including policies, previous employer checks, and Clearinghouse queries
• Auditing drug test results and chain of custody forms as they arrive
• Alcohol testing form errors the FAA writes up
• Random selection draw letters and eligible employee lists
• Cross-referencing pool lists to avoid missed random selections
• Employer copy versus donor copy of testing forms
• Challenging gray-area findings during the audit
• Responding to violations with a corrective action plan
• Appealing findings and penalties

Learn more about AZC Drug Testing: https://azcdt.com/

In this episode of Talking the Whiz Quiz, Lori and Gary Oshman of AZC Drug Testing discuss important DOT drug and alcohol testing updates for employers, HR teams, owner-operators, and safety-sensitive workplaces.Gary shares key takeaways from the 2026 NDASA conference, including FMCSA Clearinghouse identity verification changes, concerns around fraudulent Substance Abuse Professionals, the current status of DOT oral fluid testing, and the proposed addition of fentanyl to DOT drug testing panels.AZC Drug Testing is also celebrating 30 years in business, with services including drug testing, alcohol testing, background checks, fingerprinting, mobile testing, C/TPA support, and employer compliance assistance.Topics covered:0:10 - Welcome and AZC Drug Testing’s 30-year anniversary2:01 - What this episode covers2:36 - What NDASA is and why the conference matters5:55 - FMCSA Clearinghouse identity verification updates8:55 - Why SAP fraud creates safety and compliance concerns11:12 - How new identity checks may affect employers, drivers, and C/TPAs14:52 - Clearinghouse query credit challenges for owner-operators and small companies16:44 - Current status of DOT oral fluid drug testing20:17 - Proposed changes related to FDA clearance requirements21:51 - What future testing methods, including hair testing, could mean for employers24:43 - Proposed fentanyl testing updates for DOT drug testing panels26:53 - Why fentanyl does not currently show up unless specifically tested for29:50 - How DOT fentanyl testing could impact non-regulated drug testing costs31:09 - Final thoughts and future AZC Drug Testing updatesLearn more about AZC Drug Testing:https://azcdt.com/

Episode 7 features Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM of Krasner Medical Consultants for a conversation about the Medical Review Officer process and its role in workplace drug testing.

Lori and Gary talk with Dr. Krasner about what an MRO does, how prescriptions are documented and verified, what happens with non-negative, invalid, diluted, adulterated, and substituted results, and why the MRO process is so important for protecting both employers and donors.

Featuring Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM | Occupational Medicine | Krasner Medical Consultants | Tucson, AZ

Episode 7 features Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM of Krasner Medical Consultants for a conversation about the Medical Review Officer process and its role in workplace drug testing.

Lori and Gary talk with Dr. Krasner about what an MRO does, how prescriptions are documented and verified, what happens with non-negative, invalid, diluted, adulterated, and substituted results, and why the MRO process is so important for protecting both employers and donors.

Featuring Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM | Occupational Medicine | Krasner Medical Consultants | Tucson, AZ

Episode 7 features Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM of Krasner Medical Consultants for a conversation about the Medical Review Officer process and its role in workplace drug testing.

Lori and Gary talk with Dr. Krasner about what an MRO does, how prescriptions are documented and verified, what happens with non-negative, invalid, diluted, adulterated, and substituted results, and why the MRO process is so important for protecting both employers and donors.

Featuring Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM | Occupational Medicine | Krasner Medical Consultants | Tucson, AZ

Episode 7 features Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM of Krasner Medical Consultants for a conversation about the Medical Review Officer process and its role in workplace drug testing.

Lori and Gary talk with Dr. Krasner about what an MRO does, how prescriptions are documented and verified, what happens with non-negative, invalid, diluted, adulterated, and substituted results, and why the MRO process is so important for protecting both employers and donors.

Featuring Dr. Scott A. Krasner, MD, MPH, FACOEM | Occupational Medicine | Krasner Medical Consultants | Tucson, AZ

The Collection Process: Where Most Drug Tests Fail

Most people think a drug test starts and ends with a specimen cup. In reality, the collection process is the most vulnerable link in your entire testing program. One missed step or a paperwork error can turn a valid test into a fatal flaw that stalls your hiring process for days.

Lori and Gary pull back the curtain on the 25-step federal collection process. They explain why seemingly small details, like blueing agents in toilets and water shut-offs, are actually critical security measures.

In this episode:

• The 25-step walkthrough: Why the order of operations matters for a solid chain of custody
• Red flags: How collectors spot fake specimens by checking temperature, odor, and even “the bubble”
• Direct observation: What triggers the “Hokey Pokey” protocol and how to handle it professionally
• The DER’s role: Why the employer is ultimately responsible for collection site mistakes

Whether you’re managing random testing, post-accident testing, or pre-employment screens, this episode gives you the insight to spot a mishandled collection before it becomes a bigger compliance problem.

Are you overpaying for insurance or risking a costly DOT violation?

In this episode of Talking the Whiz Quiz: An HR Guide, Gary and Lori Oshman break down the major Arizona drug testing and federal compliance changes coming in 2026. From marijuana rescheduling to new digital Med-Cert requirements, they share practical guidance to help HR professionals, safety leaders, and fleet managers stay compliant, reduce risk, and build a stronger workplace culture.

You will learn how modern testing programs protect your team, lower hidden costs, and help businesses stay ahead of evolving regulations while maintaining a drug-free environment.

Episode Highlights:
5:24 Why Testing Matters: Prevention vs. Punishment
8:34 Midwest Case Study: When 10% of a Workforce Tests Positive
10:51 Identifying the “Eager Applicant” Red Flag
12:35 Lunchtime Cheating: How Employees Attempt to Swap Specimens
14:30 Oral Fluid Testing Explained
17:19 Building a Safety Culture
21:40 Drug Use Across Roles and Industries
24:06 The 5% Safety Dividend
25:16 The Hidden Cost of Employee Turnover
26:17 The 5 Pillars of a Testing Program
29:44 Arizona Voluntary Laws and State Benefits
35:00 Supervisor Training: Mandatory vs Best Practice
43:40 The Role of the DER
48:40 Medical Review Officers and Prescription Verification
53:10 Collection Site Integrity
57:41 What is a TPA?
1:01:25 Why Small Fleets Need a Consortium
1:13:10 DOT Reportable Accidents vs Private Property Incidents
1:15:35 Federal Mandates vs State Marijuana Laws
1:21:00 Rapid Testing vs Certified Labs

Need a compliance review?
Make sure your policy is ready for 2026: azcdt.com/contact

Follow the show for more conversations on workplace safety, HR strategy, and DOT regulations.

In this episode of Talking The Whiz Quiz, Lori and Gary break down what employers must do when an employee violates federally regulated drug and alcohol testing rules — and what it takes to properly clear a violation.

You’ll learn:
• What counts as a DOT “violation” (it’s more than just a positive test)
• Why employees must be removed from safety-sensitive duties immediately
• Employer responsibilities after a violation, including SAP referrals
• The DOT return-to-duty process and why the order of steps matters
• Return-to-duty and follow-up testing rules, including observed collections
• Key alcohol thresholds and what is and is not reportable
• FMCSA Clearinghouse basics, prohibited status, and CDL downgrade or revocation timelines
• Who reports what to the Clearinghouse (MRO vs employer vs C/TPA)
• Clearinghouse queries (limited vs full), annual requirements, and best practices to avoid fines
• Why violations can restart the process from step one, even years later

This episode is especially helpful for motor carriers, DERs, safety managers, owner-operators, and anyone responsible for DOT compliance.

Subscribe for more episodes of Talking The Wiz Quiz on AZCDT.

Understanding the Designated Employer Representative (DER) role is critical for DOT compliance and workplace drug testing program success. This episode covers everything employers need to know about DER responsibilities, training requirements, and managing drug and alcohol testing programs.

What You'll Learn:

DER Role & Definition - What is a Designated Employer Representative and why this position is essential for DOT-regulated companies. Core responsibilities include test result management, employee removal from safety-sensitive functions, and coordination with Medical Review Officers (MROs), Third Party Administrators (TPAs), and Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs).

DOT Regulations & Compliance - Understanding 49 CFR Part 40 requirements for DER qualifications. Differences between regulated testing (FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA, USCG) and non-regulated workplace testing. Why DERs must be actual employees, not contractors, and FMCSA Clearinghouse reporting requirements.

Test Result Interpretation - How to review drug and alcohol test results including negative results, positive results, dilute specimens, invalid tests, and refusals to test. Understanding the MRO process, negative dilute protocols, when immediate recollection is required, and cancelled test procedures.

Collection Procedures - Direct observation requirements, same-gender observer protocols, shy bladder protocols, out of temperature procedures, and chain of custody documentation.

Refusal to Test Scenarios - What constitutes a refusal under DOT regulations, immediate action requirements, and proper Clearinghouse reporting.

Employer Training Requirements - Workplace substance abuse training for all employees, supervisor reasonable suspicion training (FAA requires recurrent training every 18-24 months), and DER training recommendations.

Audit Readiness - Essential record-keeping requirements, random selection documentation, consortium summary reports, employee file requirements, and quarterly, semi-annual, and annual MIS report preparation.

Return to Duty & Follow-Up Testing - SAP return to duty process requirements, follow-up testing program compliance, and FMCSA Clearinghouse notifications.

This episode provides HR professionals, fleet managers, and business owners with compliance knowledge to effectively manage DOT drug and alcohol testing programs, avoid violations, and maintain audit readiness.

➡Learn more about AZC Drug Testing: azcdt.com